Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Shawnee, OK: $29.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Shawnee, OK runs $29.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,690 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Shawnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,411 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Shawnee, Oklahoma, earn a median hourly pay of $29.18, which is notably lower than the national median of $33.77. This difference highlights the regional pay dynamics within the profession, which can affect part-time and per-diem workers significantly. For those working three days a week, the hourly rate translates to approximately $1,167 in weekly earnings if working 24 hours. Entry-level positions may start around $20.00 per hour, with experienced professionals seeing rates as high as $37.84, dependent on various employers such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. These hourly figures, while providing a foundation for income estimation, are driven by the larger context of the cost of living in Shawnee, which is 88.9 on the index where 100 represents the national average.
About the Shawnee Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.00 | $160.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.73 | $213.84 |
| Median (P50) | $29.18 | $233.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.67 | $261.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.84 | $302.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shawnee
Based on $29.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.18/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shawnee, OK can expect to earn approximately $60,685 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,010. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Shawnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shawnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,167.01 | $5,057 | $60,685 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.21 | $3,034 | $36,411 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.81 | $2,023 | $24,274 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Shawnee) | $29.18 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Shawnee, OK earn a median of $60,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.60% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.80% below the Oklahoma state average of $62,438.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.18/hr = $36,411/year (purchasing power: $40,957).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,685/year (purchasing power: $68,262).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Shawnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Shawnee grew 16.3% from $24.42/hr (2019) to $28.40/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.97/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shawnee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Shawnee
Assessing part-time earning potential reveals that a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week takes home around $60,690 annually, which is a practical income, though it may pale in comparison to full-time earnings. For per diem positions, PTAs often command rates between $32 and $48 per hour, depending on specific job requirements and demand. Contract positions for travel can yield weekly earnings ranging from $1,200 to $1,800, offering significant financial incentive for mobility among professionals willing to relocate temporarily. However, the job market for PTAs in Shawnee is sensitive to reimbursement changes, as the 15% Medicare cut instituted in 2022 has affected pay in skilled nursing facilities despite the demand for services. Hourly wages for PTAs can also differ based on employer type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offering competitive rates. Some practitioners may choose employers that provide benefits over higher hourly wages without them, creating a balancing act in their career choices. Negotiation is key; clear discussions around hourly pay rates are essential, especially in a dynamic environment influenced by local healthcare demand and reimbursement trends.
More salary data for Shawnee, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Shawnee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Shawnee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov